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Cherry Duke Spartan is a representative of hybrids that have received the best properties of their predecessors. Bred as a result of accidental dusting of cherries and cherries. It happened in England in the 17th century. The hybrid was named by the Duke of May May-Duke, but in Russia the sweet cherry is known under the short name "Duke".
Description of Spartan cherry
The Duke Spartanka variety was developed by A.I.Sychev. The tree is medium-sized, but has a wide spreading crown. From the trunk, the skeletal branches are directed almost vertically. The leaf plates are oval, dark green in color, larger than those of cherries.
In appearance, Spartan cherry is similar to sweet cherry, but its fruits are very similar to cherry berries.
The variety is intended for cultivation in Western Siberia, but you can get a crop in other regions if you provide it with proper care.
Height and dimensions of an adult tree
Spartan cherry gives the impression of a large tree due to its spreading crown. The height of the variety reaches 2-3.5 m.
Description of fruits
The variety is known among gardeners for its exquisite taste: the fruits are not only sweet, but also juicy, dark burgundy rich in color. The berry of the Spartan cherry is round, with a shiny skin. The pulp is tender inside, but wine-colored, slightly crispy. The weight of one fruit is from 5.5 to 8 g. Ripe berries have a pronounced cherry aroma.
According to the tasting assessment, the Spartanka variety was awarded 4.4 points
Pollinators for Duke Spartan
Spartan cherry is self-fruitless, therefore, to obtain a harvest, it is necessary to plant other varieties of cherries or sweet cherries on the site next to it.
The Iput variety can be used as a pollinator. Sweet cherry is frost-resistant and adapted for cultivation in many regions of Russia. The tree is medium-sized, blooms in May, the first fruits ripen in June. The berries are sweet, each weighing from 5 to 9 g, rich in vitamin C.
Cherry Iput begins to bear fruit 4-5 years after planting
Among various cultures, Glubokskaya cherry is suitable as a neighbor for Spartan cherries. The tree is medium-sized, blooms in May, begins to bear fruit in July. The berries are sweet and sour, but the pulp is juicy inside. Fruiting begins 4 years after planting.
Among small trees, Lyubskaya cherry is often planted as a pollinator. The tree is medium-sized, reaches a height of 2-2.5 m. Flowers appear in late May, and berries in July-August. The taste of the fruit is mediocre, so they are often used for conservation. Cherry Lyubskaya is frost-resistant.
The tree begins to bear fruit 2-3 years after planting.
The main characteristics of the Spartan cherry
Studying characteristics is one way to select a strain that meets all your requirements. Spartan cherry is valued among gardeners for showing the best qualities of their parents.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
Cherry Sartanka safely survives weather disasters, but prolonged drought negatively affects the yield of the tree. With a constant moisture deficit, the tree gradually weakens, which can lead to the development of various diseases. Spartan cherry is demanding on moisture.
The frost resistance of cherries is amazing: it tolerates temperatures down to -25-35 ° C. Strong spring return frosts are not dangerous for the buds, which allows maintaining the yield of the variety when grown in regions with a cold climate.
Yield
The Spartan cherry has an average ripening period, flowers appear in April-May, and ripe fruits can be tasted in July. The variety is considered one of the most productive: up to 15 kg of berries are harvested from one tree.
The fruits of Spartan cherry, although they do not crumble from the branches, are soft and juicy, therefore they cannot be transported for a long time. The impossibility of storage forces gardeners to immediately process the crop: canning compotes and preserves, jams. Berries are also consumed fresh, if necessary, they are dried or frozen.
If cherries are properly frozen, washed, dried and spread in a thin layer on a tray, the berries will retain their appearance and properties, which allows them to be used in the future for baking.
Advantages and disadvantages
Cherry Spartanka lives up to its name: it is resistant to low temperatures. This is one of the main advantages of the variety.
The positive qualities of culture include:
- high productivity;
- the possibility of growing in regions with cold winters;
- appearance and taste;
- immunity to disease.
Among the disadvantages of Spartan cherry cherries, they highlight the need for a pollinator and the spreading of the crown, which requires shaping.
Landing rules
The yield of Spartan cherry and its viability depend on how correctly the site for planting is selected and how the tree is taken care of. And although cherries are undemanding to agricultural technology, but gross neglect of its foundations leads to the premature death of the seedling or the absence of berries in the future.
Recommended timing
Despite its good frost resistance, a Spartan cherry seedling needs time for the root system to harden well. The recommended time for planting is spring, when the snow melts and the weather is warm.
Site selection and soil preparation
Cherries will take root well if a lit place is allocated to it on the site. The sun's rays should hit the tree all day. Penumbra is allowed. The site should be protected from winds.
The land should be fertile, sandy loam, but not swampy. If the soil is clay, then it must be replaced with a mixture of sand and fertile soil. With increased acidity of the earth, chalk should be added to it at the rate of 1.5 kg per 1 m2.
The location of groundwater is allowed no higher than 2 m
When placing a seedling, the distance between pollinators should be taken into account: no more than 5 m.
How to plant correctly
Autumn planting is possible only in the southern regions. In other cases, all work is carried out in the spring:
- a month before planting, they dig holes, keeping a distance of 4-5 m between them;
- the size of the hole should be such that the root system of the seedling is completely straightened;
- along the bottom of the pit, a drainage layer should be distributed, consisting of broken bricks and stones, and on top of it a mixture of manure and soil;
- the soil, which was obtained by digging the hole, must be mixed with superphosphate, potassium sulfate and ash, adding 300 g of each of the substances;
- the seedling is transferred into a pit, straighten all the roots and sprinkle it with soil, leaving the neck level with the surface of the earth;
- at the end of the work, the soil should be moistened by pouring 2 buckets of water under each tree.
If the soil on the site is depleted, then 1 bucket of compost should be poured into the pit, then evenly distribute it along the bottom.
Excessive deepening of the seedling increases the risks of developing rot on it, which will not allow the cherry to take root
Care features
Cherry Duke Spartanka is a very unpretentious variety. With minimal maintenance, the grower is guaranteed a good harvest.
Watering and feeding schedule
Young seedlings need weekly watering. For the procedure, you should take settled and not cold water. As the tree matures, it should be watered less and less.
One adult cherry has 20-40 liters of water. During dry periods, the displacement should be increased. Like any stone fruit, cherries can die when waterlogged: the roots begin to rot, and the bark on the trunk and branches cracks.
Duke cherry Spartan does not need additional feeding, which is its advantage. Fertilizers should be applied to the soil only when planting. As the tree grows, it has enough nutrients in the soil.
Pruning
The first procedure is carried out immediately after planting: the top and skeletal branches are cut. The distance from the ground surface to the cutting point must be at least 0.6 m.
In 2-year-old seedlings, the side branches are shortened by 1/3. This will not harm the tree: it grows rapidly during the first 4–5 years, or until the first berries appear.
The crown should be thinned out so that the yield does not decrease. Shoots are removed taking into account the angle: the sharper it is in relation to the trunk, the shorter the cut off shoot should be.
For old trees, rejuvenating pruning is carried out at intervals of 5 years: during the procedure, all sprouts are removed, up to the level of 4-year-old trees
Preparing for winter
Spartan cherry is frost-resistant, therefore, special preparation for the winter period is not required. It is enough to mulch the trunk circle. To do this, you should prepare hay or foliage in advance.
Young seedlings under 5 years of age are recommended to be insulated: cover the crown with polyethylene, and cover the trunk with snow.
Often, gardeners prefer to wrap the trunks with sacking to protect the tree not only from low temperatures, but also from rodents.
Diseases and pests
A common reason for the appearance of signs of various diseases is illiterate care or prevention.
Existing diseases and pests:
- The appearance of fruit rot on Spartan cherry is possible. Can develop after hail or pest attacks.
As a treatment, the tree should be sprayed with a fungicidal solution of drugs such as Topaz or Previkur.
- Among the pests, the leafworm attacks the sweet cherry. As a result of its activity, the leaf plates roll up and fall off.
To destroy the pest, the leaves should be treated with an insecticide Lepidocide or Bitoxibacillin
- The cherry fly inflicts great damage to the crop. Its larvae damage the flesh of the berries, forcing gardeners to dispose of the fruit.
To destroy the flies, the tree is treated with the drug Fufanon or Sigmaen
Conclusion
Cherry Duke Spartanka is a frost-resistant variety known among gardeners. The cherries are large and sweet, well suited for preservation and other culinary dishes. The fruits are not intended for transport. The variety is characterized by a high yield.
Reviews about Spartanka cherries
Grandchildren love cherries, but in my garden none of the usual varieties have taken root.Duke Spartanka began to bear fruit 4 years after planting, pleased with large and sweet berries. It is unpretentious to soil and temperature, but if you plant it in a sunny place and water it abundantly, then the berries ripen sweeter.
